Shame, Shame, Shame

August 30, 2017

But God chose what is foolish in this world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong….

--1 Corinthians 1:27

Many people, especially mental health experts like Brene Brown, would have you believe that shame is never a good thing. But for me, shame has its place in the realm of emotions and can be a helpful and useful feeling. Shame lets us know that we are not psychopaths or sociopaths. Shame lets us know that we are human. Shame can let us know that we have done something wrong. Shame can bring us to God and deepen our faith because shame shows us that we are broken and weak on our own, when we rely on our own understanding or strength. For there is no way for us to know it all or to be it all. The moment we do think we have all the answers or have everything in place in our lives, a higher hand will let us know otherwise. While I don't think it is a good think to shame other people, I think it is a good thing when we feel shamed by God. For those that are not Christian, it can be a good thing to feel shame about something you did or didn't do because this leads us hopefully to repent or ask forgiveness or make things right. May I God shame me when I am on the wrong path in life. May I feel shame when I am making bad choices. May shame set me free and reveal to me my real name, the name God gave to me and may I answer when he calls me using that name. May shame lead me back to the path God has chosen for me anytime I veer from that path. May shame bring understanding and light to any darkness that I or others create and that gets in the way of the glory he has for all of us...